Pacific GP MYT race report

PACIFIC GRAND PRIX, MOTEGI
Race Day, Sunday October 7 2001
UNHAPPY DAY FOR MARLBORO YAMAHA MEN
Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi had a difficult
race at Motegi this afternoon, Biaggi tumbling out of the lead while...

Marlboro Yamaha Team riders Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi had a difficult
race at Motegi this afternoon, Biaggi tumbling out of the lead while Checa
could only manage a seventh-place finish. Biaggi's crash all but ended the
Italian's brave attempt on this year's 500 World Championship crown, which
now looks certain to go to Motegi winner Valentino Rossi (Honda).

"It's not been a happy day for us," said Marlboro Yamaha Team manager Geoff
Crust. "It was disappointing for Max because he was leading the race and
going fast. He chose to run a 17in rear and we could see that Rossi was
struggling to keep up through certain sections of the track. He was trying
very hard, lost the front and down he went. The one good thing is that he's
not hurt, just frustrated. You'd have to be something of an optimist to keep
thinking about the World Championship, so we'll just try and finish the
season with the best results we can. Carlos had some trouble in practice but
neither he nor his team gave up. They kept working and by warm-up they'd
found a solution to their problems. Considering he was 13th after one lap, I
think he rode a good race."

CHECA IMPROVES TO SEVENTH

Carlos Checa made good work of a difficult weekend at Motegi today,
finishing a hard-charging seventh after starting from 11th on the grid.
During practice the Marlboro Yamaha Team rider struggled to find a good
set-up for this awkward stop-and-go track but his commitment and some
tireless work from his crew brought a breakthrough during this morning's
warm-up session.

"We had a difficult time with settings here but my mechanics did a great job
and the bike wasn't so bad this morning," said the Spaniard. "The engine was
better and I was getting less chatter, though things were difficult during
the early laps when the full fuel load was causing the front to push. With
less fuel the bike got better, the tyres were good and I was able to run
quite a good pace. This has been a weekend of experience for us, but I think
it's good to come from 13th on lap one to seventh."

BIAGGI LEADS THEN FALLS

Max Biaggi grabbed the lead on the first lap and stayed there until he slid
off five laps later. It was another display of ultra-determined riding from
the Marlboro Yamaha Team man who was doing everything he could to break his
pursuer, Valentino Rossi. Biaggi lost the front through the 160kmh left
hander that leads into the track's final chicane, and though he was unhurt,
his YZR500 was too badly damaged for him to continue.

"There's nothing to say really," said an understandably glum Biaggi. "I was
having to ride over the limit to stay ahead of Rossi, so there's no margin
and that's when things like this can happen. Just like the last time I fell,
I was doing nothing different through that corner from the laps before, but
the front just let go. It was another fall that we can't explain. All I can
say is that I had to try everything I could. I used a 17-inch rear tyre to
try and give myself some form of advantage over the others but that had
nothing really to do with the fall. I am very frustrated and upset. I'll
still give 100% for the last races but also I'll start looking to the
future."

ROSSI WINS EIGHTH GP

World Championship leader Valentino Rossi won his eighth GP of the year
today, giving him a gaping 67-point advantage over Max Biaggi with three
races to go. An eighth place finish at next Sunday's Australian GP will
secure the title. The Italian chased Biaggi in the early stages of the race,
then inherited a good lead over Alex Barros (Honda) when his compatriot
fell.

"Biaggi was faster than me at some points of the track, while I was quicker
in other corners, overall we were about the same," he said. "When he crashed
I rode one slow lap because I was thinking about how to change my tactics. I
had two seconds on Barros, so I just kept pushing and didn't make any
mistakes. I can win the title in Australia but it doesn't matter where I win
it, so long as I do win it!"

SLOW START COSTS BARROS

Alex Barros fluffed his getaway from third on the grid to finish 2.6 seconds
behind Valentino Rossi and well ahead of team-mate and pole-sitter Loris
Capirossi. "My start made a big difference because I got stuck behind Sete
(Gibernau, Suzuki) and Kenny (Roberts, Suzuki) which cost me time while Max
and Valentino got away," said the Brazilian. "My only chance was if
Valentino had made a mistake but I didn't expect that to happen."